Saw this little fellow tonight and can't figure out what it is,

[normhead]

Great shot of a Swainson's Thrush. Hermit Thrush lacks the buffy spectacles and has a reddish tail. Songs are completely different as well but this one was silent

When we identified our Hermit thrushes it was by the song. We heard them first thing in the morning but never saw them. I have to say though, looking at the sample images, they aren't much different.

[boriscleto]

When we identified our Hermit thrushes it was by the song. We heard them first thing in the morning but never saw them. I have to say though, looking at the sample images, they aren't much different.

By the time the Swainson's starts vocalizing when it reaches its breeding grounds sound is pretty much the only way you will identify them, you're not going to see them...The only time you can really get a photo is when they're migrating.

The brown thrushes probably cause more confusion than any other bird other than the female Red-winged blackbird or the various color changes the juvenile European starling goes through. Female Brown-headed cowbird is very close behind. Traill's flycatcher (Alder/Willow) just forget about it unless you hear them.

But Hermit/Swainson's is easy if you can see the important field marks. Red tail contrasting with brown back for the Hermit (also white eye ring), and buffy spectacles and non-contrasting tail for the Swainson's.

[Heinrich Lohmann]

Great shot of a Swainson's Thrush. Hermit Thrush lacks the buffy spectacles and has a reddish tail. Songs are completely different as well but this one was silent

Thank you kindly, as for I.D., I think the jury is still out.

---------- Post added 05-10-20 at 09:42 AM ----------

Here is another shot of the same bird, al images were taken within seconds of each other. I'm not a bird expert, just take pictures of them and so I leave it to you gentlemen to figure it out

[normhead]

Thank you kindly, as for I.D., I think the jury is still out.

---------- Post added 05-10-20 at 09:42 AM ----------

Here is another shot of the same bird, al images were taken within seconds of each other. I'm not a bird expert, just take pictures of them and so I leave it to you gentlemen to figure it out

I think we're pretty much settled Heinrich. Any definitive markings one way or the other point to Swainson's. The common marking could be either.

here's my Hermit Thrush from the rear, look how red he is on his tail.

[aslyfox]

By the powers of deduction invested in the old Kerrowdown, I can help...

Its not a Plane... nor is it Superman... so therefore by default it's a Bird.

even though he left out some suspects ( Under Dog and Mighty Mouse )

I must agree they are birds

very nice photos thanks for posting

[Kerrowdown]

Under Dog and Mighty Mouse

Don't have those suspects here... so unknown also.

[Heinrich Lohmann]

I think we're pretty much settled Heinrich. Any definitive markings one way or the other point to Swainson's. The common marking could be either.

here's my Hermit Thrush from the rear, look how red he is on his tail.

I spent some time to look through 2 different bird books and do agree, its a Swainson's Thrush

even though he left out some suspects ( Under Dog and Mighty Mouse )

I must agree they are birds

very nice photos thanks for posting

Thank you and you are welcome